The last time Ginebra and Converge met, Japeth Aguilar starred for the Gin Kings’s win. Now Ginebra looks to lean again on the Gilas mainstay as they take on the FiberXers in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Japeth Aguilar and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings begin their hunt for redemption in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarterfinals, where they take on a surging Converge FiberXers squad on Friday, June 20.
Gmaetime is set at 7:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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Seeded no. 4, the Gin Kings carry a twice-to-beat advantage and an emotional edge, having endured back-to-back Finals losses earlier this season. That disappointment fuels their drive for an All-Filipino crown that has eluded the franchise since 2020.
Ginebra reactivated LA Tenorio in time for the playoff push, with the veteran guard rejoining the lineup after taking a break to coach the Gilas Youth team in the recent FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers.
Even if Tenorio plays limited minutes, his leadership will be vital alongside playoff-tested core pieces in Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, and Stephen Holt.
[ALSO READ: PBA: LA Tenorio rejoins Ginebra roster ahead of Philippine Cup playoffs]
Aguilar was instrumental in Ginebra’s elimination round win over Converge and is expected to anchor both ends once again.
The Gin Kings, however, will have to navigate the size and skill of Converge’s Twin Towers, Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar — both Best Player of the Conference contenders. The FiberXers also recently added veteran point guard Gelo Alolino, further bolstering their guard depth.
Still, the stage is set for Ginebra to assert its playoff pedigree — and they only need one win to do it.
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]